Cornice fixture

ABSTRACT

A cornice fixture for decorating a wall and a method of installing the cornice fixture are disclosed. The cornice fixture includes a rod from which window treatments are hung and at least one bracket. Typically, the cornice fixture includes a pair of brackets, and the rod is slidably coupled to the brackets. Slidably coupling the rod to the brackets enables the installer to center the rod about a given point after the rod has been coupled to the bracket.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to copending U.S. provisionalapplication entitled, “SNAP FIT MODULAR CORNICE ROD SYSTEM,” having Ser.No. 60/592,962 filed Aug. 2, 2004, which is entirely incorporated hereinby reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally related to hanging window treatmentsand, more particularly, is related to a system and method for slidablycoupling a rod and a bracket.

Many homes, especially well decorated homes, have decorative fixturessuch as cornice fixtures, which can look like a three sided box. Acornice fixture is centered around a window and covers the top of thewindow. It is often made of wood, which is then padded and then coveredin fabric. It can also be made of decorative wood molding, polystyrene,metal or any other decorative material.

Standard cornice fixtures include custom made fixtures and manufacturedfixtures. Typically, a custom made cornice fixture includes a pair ofL-shaped brackets and a wooden board, or cornice board, which extendsbetween the brackets. Typically, the cornice board is wood and has adepth of 4.5 inches to 6 inches and a specific length, which correspondsto the size of window over which the cornice board is to be hung. Windowtreatments, which are frequently fabric drapes or the like, areconstructed specifically to fit that board and then attached to theboard with staples or Velcro™. The window treatments may be sewntogether as one piece (i.e. a box valance) or can be made of multipleoverlapping pieces (i.e. Swag and Cascades). The pair of brackets areattached to a wall—one bracket on each side of a window—and then thecornice board, usually with the window treatment already installed, isattached to the pair of brackets. Because the cornice board of a custommade fixture is normally made of wood, it must be cut to the desiredsize very accurately because it cannot expand.

Cairns, U.S. Pat. No. 5,673,741, discloses a manufactured cornicefixture having a telescopic rod and at least two brackets. Thetelescopic rod has attachment surfaces, which are used for removablyattaching window treatments. The brackets are attached to the wall—onboth sides of a window. Then, the telescopic rod is attached to thebrackets such that it extends between the two brackets. Then, windowtreatments are attached to the attachment surfaces of the telescopicrod. As opposed to a cornice board of a custom made cornice fixture, thetelescopic rod does not need to be cut to a specific length. Instead,the telescopic rod is expanded/contracted to extend between thebrackets. However, this means that in order for the cornice fixtureitself to be centered around the window, the brackets must be centeredaround the window. Consequently, installing the brackets requires veryaccurate measurements to ensure that they are centered around thewindow, which means that the installation is normally preformed by aprofessional.

Thus, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry to addressthe aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide a cornice fixture andmethod for installing the cornice fixture.

Briefly described, one embodiment of the fixture, among others, includesa bracket, which is adapted to couple to a wall, and a rod. The roddefines a longitudinal length, and window treatments are hung along itslongitudinal length. The fixture also includes a means for slidablymounting the rod to the bracket. An aspect of slidably coupling the rodto the bracket is that the rod can be centered about a given point afterthe rod has been coupled to the bracket.

Embodiment of the present invention can also be viewed as providingmethods for installing the cornice fixture. In this regard, oneembodiment of such a method, among others, can be broadly summarized bythe following steps: mounting two brackets to a wall, wherein a givenpoint lies somewhere on a line connecting the two brackets; and slidablycoupling a rod to the two brackets.

Other features, and advantages of the present invention will be orbecome apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of thefollowing drawings and detailed description. It is intended that allsuch additional methods, features, and advantages be included withinthis description, be within the scope of the present invention, and beprotected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference tothe following drawings. The components in the drawings are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearlyillustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in thedrawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cornice fixture mounted to a wall.

FIG. 2 is a back view of window treatments, which are attachable to thecornice fixture of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front view of window treatments, which are attachable to thecornice fixture of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 4A-4C are perspective views illustrating the sequence in whichwindow treatments are attached to a rod of the cornice fixture of FIG.1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a rod and brackets of the cornicefixture of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the rod of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a bracket of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is an exploded partial view of the rod and one of the brackets ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of a rod.

FIG. 10 is a top view of a cornice fixture.

FIG. 11A is a cross sectional view of a rod and a bracket of the cornicefixture of FIG. 10.

FIG. 11B is a cross sectional view of a rod and a bracket of the cornicefixture of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a top view of a cornice fixture.

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of a rod and a bracket of the cornicefixture of FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a cornice fixture 100 is mounted to a wall 98 abovea window 96. The cornice fixture 100 includes a pair of brackets 102 and104 and a rod 106. The brackets 102 and 104 define a longitudinal axisdenoted by the dashed line 108, and the rod 106 is slidably coupled tothe brackets 102 and 104 such that the rod 106 can slide in directionsthat are generally parallel to the longitudinal axis 108.

It should be noted that the brackets 102 and 104 do not need to becentered around the window 96. Because the rod 106 extends past thebrackets 102 and 104 and is adapted to slidably couple with the brackets102 and 104, the rod 106 can be slid in the direction of thelongitudinal axis 108 such that the rod 106 is centered around thewindow 96. With the rod 106 centered around the window 96 (or some otherpoint), the cornice fixture 100 has the appearance of being centeredaround the window because most observers do not notice the brackets. Notneeding to center the brackets 102 and 104 has the advantage that thebrackets can be mounted to studs (not shown).

A plurality of window treatments 110, 112, and 114 are attached to therod 106 and hang generally downward therefrom. A non-limiting example ofa window treatment is a drape. In one embodiment, the rod 106 includesfasteners for removably coupling the window treatments 110, 112, and 114to the rod 106. Examples of fasteners include, but are not limited to,hook and loop fasteners such as Velcro™, snaps, hooks, and otherfasteners known to those skilled in the art. For the sake of clarity,embodiments will be described employing hook and loop fasteners, but itis to be remembered that other fasteners are intended to be within thescope of the invention. Furthermore, it should be noted that in thedescription hereinbelow specific locations of hook fasteners and loopfasteners are provided only for the sake of clarity and that thelocations can be reversed.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the window treatments 110, 112, and 114 eachdefine a front side 116(A)-116(C), respectively, and a back side118(A)-118(C), respectively, and a top edge portion 120(A)-120(C),respectively. In operable position, the top edge portions 120(A)-120(C)are disposed over the rod 106 such that the remainder of the windowtreatments hang downward from the rod 106. The window treatments 110,112, and 114 are attached to the rod and, in some embodiments, to eachother, by fasteners. The rod 106 has an upper surface 122 with twostrips of hook material 124 and 126 disposed thereon. Typically, thestrips of hook material are affixed to the rod 106 by an adhesive.

Referring to FIG. 2, the back sides 118(A) and 118(B) of the windowtreatments 110 and 112, each have two strips of loop material 128(A) and130(A) and 128(B) and 130(B), respectively, disposed thereon. The upperportion 120(C) of window treatment 114 is pre-cut to fold around an endof the rod 106. The back side 118(C) has a first strip of loop material130(C) disposed thereon and a second strip of loop material 132 disposedthereon. In operable position, the strips of loop material 128(A) and128(B) are aligned with portions of the hook material 124, and thestrips of loop material 130(A)-130(C) are aligned with portions of thehook material 126.

Referring to FIG. 3, strips of hook material 134(A) and 134(B) aredisposed on the upper portions 120(A) and 120(B), respectively. Thestrips of hook material 134(A) and 134(B) are generally aligned with thestrips of loop material 128(A) and 128(B), respectively. Strips of hookmaterial 136(A)-136(C) are disposed on the upper portions 120(A)-120(C),respectively, and are generally aligned with the strips of loop material130(A)-130(C), respectively. In addition, the backside 118(C) of theupper portion 120(C) of window treatment 114 includes a strip of hookmaterial 138, which is generally aligned with the strip of loop material132.

Referring to FIGS. 4A-4C, window treatments can be attached to the rod106 in a layered manner. As illustrated in FIG. 4A, the window treatment110 is approximately centered with respect to the rod 106 and thenattached to the rod 106 by pressing the strips of loop material 128(A)and 130(A) to the strips of hook material 124 and 126, respectively.Next, as illustrated in FIG. 4B, the window treatment 112(A) ispositioned such that it overlies at least a portion of the windowtreatment 110 and aligned such that the strip of loop material 128(B) isaligned with a portion of the hook material 134(A) and with a portion ofthe strip of hook material 124. The alignment of the window treatment112(A) causes the strip of loop material 130(B) to be aligned with aportion of the strip of hook material 136(A) and with a portion of thestrip of hook material 126.

A window treatment 112(B), which is a mirror copy of the windowtreatment 112(A), is positioned over the other end of the windowtreatment 110 and attached in a manner that is similar to that of windowtreatment 112(A).

Next, as illustrated in FIG. 4C, end-window treatments 114(A) and 114(B)are attached. The end-window treatment 114(A) is positioned such that itoverlies a portion of the window treatment 112(A) and then aligned suchthat the strip of loop material 130(C) mates with a portion of the hookmaterial 136(B). In some embodiments, the strip of loop material 130(C)mates with a portion of the hook material 126. A portion of theend-window treatment 114(A) is folded approximately 90 degrees such thatthe folded portion generally covers an end of the rod 106. The strip ofloop material 132 mates with at least a portion of the hook material 124and 126 and/or a portion of the hook material 134(B) and 136(B). Theend-window treatment 114(B) is attached in a manner that is similar tothat of the end-window treatment 114(A).

It should be noted that the window treatments 110, 112(A), 112(B),114(A) and 114(B) can be attached to the rod 106 before coupling the rod106 to the brackets 102 and 104. This feature provides a measure ofsafety to the end-user because it reduces the amount of time that theend-user must stand on a chair or ladder while installing the cornicefixture 100. Furthermore, attaching the window treatments beforecoupling the rod 106 to the brackets 102 and 104 provides a measure ofconvenience to the end-user because the end-user can attach the windowtreatments without having to work with his or her hands above theirhead. Because the rod 106 need not be coupled to the brackets 102 and104 prior to attaching the window treatments, the end-user can attachthe window treatments with the rod laying on a table or work bench, andconsequently, the end-user can easily view the top of the rod 106 whileattaching the window treatments. After the rod and window treatments arecoupled to the brackets 102 and 104, the rod and window treatments canbe slid back and forth in the directions denoted by dashed line 108 (seeFIG. 1) such that the rod and window treatments can be centered around agiven point such as window 96.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a rod 140 and the brackets 102and 104. The rod 140 is a telescopic rod having an inner member 142 andan outer member 144. The dashed line 145 denotes the axis along whichthe rod 140 can telescope, and as will be explained in detailhereinbelow, the dashed line 145 also denotes the directions along whichthe rod 140 can be slid with respect to the brackets 102 and 104.

FIG. 6 illustrates the rod in cross sectional view as seen along lineA-A of FIG. 5. Generally, the inner member 142 is complimentary in shapewith respect to the outer member 144 such that the inner member 142 canslide within the outer member 144.

In one embodiment, the outer member 144 is generally C-shaped in crosssection. The outer member 144 includes a curved front portion 146(A) anda curved rear portion 148(A). The front portion 146(A) and rear portion148(A) are approximately U-shaped and are aligned to be inwardly openingand approximately horizontal such that the front portion 146(A) includesan upper leg 150(A) and a lower leg 152(A) and such that the rearportion 148(A) includes an upper leg 150(B) and a lower leg 152(B). Anupper surface 154(A) extends between the upper legs 150(A) and 150(B).The outer member 144 defines a hollow interior 156(A) with an opening158(A) extending between the lower legs 152(A) and 152(B).

The inner member 142 is generally C-shaped in cross section. The innermember 142 includes a curved front portion 146(B) and a curved rearportion 148(B). The front portion 146(B) and rear portion 148(B) areapproximately U-shaped and are aligned to be inwardly opening andapproximately horizontal such that the front portion 146(B) includes anupper leg 150(C) and a lower leg 152(C) and such that the rear portion148(B) includes an upper leg 150(D) and a lower leg 152(D). An uppersurface 154(B) extends between the upper legs 150(C) and 150(D). Theinner member 142 defines a hollow interior 156(B) with an opening 158(B)extending between the lower legs 152(C) and 152(D).

The outer member 144 defines a transverse width 160(A) that extendsinclusively between the front portion 146(A) and the rear portion 148(A)and a longitudinal length, L₁, extending from opposed ends 162(A) and162(B). The upper surface 154(A) defines two channels 164(A) and 164(B),which extend along the longitudinal length of the upper surface 154(A).The channels 164(A) and 164(B) carry strips of hook material 166(A) and166(B) along at least a portion of their longitudinal lengths.

The inner member 142 defines a transverse width 160(B) that extendsinclusively between the front portion 146(B) and the rear portion 148(B)and a longitudinal length, L₂, extending from extending from opposedends 168(A) and 168(B). The upper surface 154(B) defines two channels170(A) and 170(B), which extend along the longitudinal length of theupper surface 154(B). The channels 170(A) and 170(B) carry strips ofhook material 172(A) and 172(B) along at least a portion of theirlongitudinal lengths.

Typically, the strips of hook material 166(A) and 166(B) are secured tothe outer member 144 by an adhesive such as glue or tape and arepositioned on the outer member 144 such that the hook material willengage loop material disposed on the back side 118 of window treatments.

Similarly, the strips of hook material 172(A) and 172(B) are secured tothe inner member 144 by an adhesive such as glue or tape and arepositioned on the inner member 142 such that the hook material willengage loop material disposed on the back side 118 of window treatments.

As previously stated, the inner member 142 telescopes within the outermember 144. Thus, the transverse width 160(A) is larger than thetransverse width 160(B). Similarly, the channels 170(A) and 170 (B) aredeep enough such that the strips of hook material 172(A) and 172(B) arenot engaged by the outer member 144.

Referring now to FIG. 7, in one embodiment, a bracket 174 is generallyL-shaped having a generally vertical leg 176 and a generally horizontalleg 178 extending outward from the leg 176. The leg 176 includes screwholes 180 for attaching the bracket to a mounting surface such as awall. The leg 178 includes an upwardly curved front end 182 and a tab184, which are used to hold the rod 140 onto the bracket 174. Theupwardly curved front end 182 is designed to be rigid and generallyconform in shape to the front portions 146(A) and 146(B). The tab 184 isillustrated in its natural or relaxed state, and the tab 184 is designedto be resilient such that it will return to its natural state afterbeing pushed either forward or backwards. The tab 184 is shaped suchthat it generally conforms to the shape of the rear portions 148(A) and148(B).

FIG. 8, which is an exploded perspective view of the rod 140 and bracket174, illustrates the coupling of the rod 140 and bracket 170. The rod140 is positioned above the bracket 174. The rod 140 is tilted slightlyforward and lowered such that the front portion 146(A) (or 146(B))engages the upwardly curved front end 182, and then, the rear portion148(A) (or 148(B)) is push downward such that the rear portion engagesthe tab 184. The downward pressure on the rear portion 148 causes thetab 184 to be bent backwards, which thereby enables the rear portion 148to move downward. The tab 184 snaps back into place when the rod 140 isin operable position, thereby engaging the rear portion 148. It shouldbe noted that the rod 140 is snapped into the bracket 174 and is heldthereon by pressure exerted by the tab 184 and upwardly curved front end182. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the pressure fit of the rod 140in the bracket 174 is such that the rod can be slid in the directionsdenoted by line 145.

FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment of a rod 185. The rod 185 includesan inner member 186 and an outer member 188. The outer member 188defines a hollow interior 190 through which the inner member 186 slides.The outer member 188 defines generally flat bottom 192, opposed ends194, which are generally U-shaped, and an upper surface 196. The uppersurface 196 is bowed or arched and extends between the opposed ends 194.The upper surface 196 also has two strips of hook material 198 disposedthereon.

The inner member 186 includes opposed ends 200 and a bottom surface 202and an upper surface 204. The bottom surface 202 and the upper surface204 are generally flat and extend between the opposed ends 200. Theupper surface 204 has two strips of hook material 206 disposed thereon.The inner member is sized and shaped such that it can slide within theinterior 190 of the outer member. The upper surface 196 is arched orbowed such that the two strips of hook material 206 are not engaged bythe upper surface 196 as the inner member 186 is slid into and out ofthe outer member 188.

FIG. 10 illustrates yet another embodiment of a pair of brackets 208 anda rod 210. The rod 210 and brackets 208 are formed such that the rod 210can be pushed generally horizontally onto the brackets 208 and snap inplace. In some embodiments, the rod 210 is a telescoping rod, and inother embodiments, the rod can be a non-telescoping. In someembodiments, the rod 210 includes a formed end 212 that extendsgenerally rearward from the rod 210. The formed end 212 forms a sidemember such that a window treatment(s) can be hung from the formed end212. In other embodiments, the rod 210 includes a separable end cap 214that is adapted to couple to the rod 210. Generally, the end cap 214 iscoupled to the rod 210 by a pressure fit.

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate two embodiments of the rod 210 and bracket208 as seen in cross sectional view along line B-B. In both embodiments,the bracket 208 includes a generally vertical leg 218 and a generallyhorizontal leg 220, which extends outward from the leg 218. The leg 220has an upper surface 222 and a lower surface 224. As illustrated in FIG.11A, a pair of grooves 226(A) and 228(A) are formed in the leg 220relatively proximal to the leg 218. Whereas, FIG. 11B illustrates a pairof grooves 226(B) and 228(B) that are formed in leg 220 approximatelyone-third of its length away from the leg 218. The exact positions ofthe pairs of grooves (226(A), 228(A)) and (226(B), 228(B)) are agenerally a matter of design choice.

The rod 210 defines a generally hollow interior 230 and opposed ends 232and 234. The end 234 defines an opening 236 that extends to the hollowinterior 230. The leg 220 and hollow interior 230 are complementary inshape such that the portion of the 220 that extends outward from thepair of grooves (226(A), 228(A)) or (226(B), 228(B)) is received by thehollow interior 230. The opening 236 is shaped to conform to the pair ofgrooves.

The rod 210 is coupled to the brackets 208 by aligning the opening 236with the legs 220 and then pushing the rod 210 inward towards the leg218. The rod 210 is slid onto the leg 220 until the opening 236 engagesthe pair of grooves. Typically, the rod 210 is made of a resilientmaterial and the opening 236 is formed such that the end 234 squeezesthe grooves to hold the rod in place.

As previously described, the pair of grooves 226(A) and 228(A) areproximal to the leg 218. In this embodiment, the end 234 is proximal tothe wall 98. Thus, in this embodiments, the formed end 212 and/or theend cap 214 are not necessary for hanging side window treatments, i.e.,window treatments that extend outward from the wall 98.

It should be noted that the opening 236 engages the grooves to hold therod 210 onto leg 220. However, even when the rod 210 is mounted to thebrackets 208, the rod 210 can be slid in directions that are generallyparallel to the wall 98. Thus, the rod 210 can be centered with respectto a given point after the rod 210 has been coupled to the brackets.

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate yet another embodiment of the cornice fixture100, which comprises a rod 238 and a pair of brackets 240. FIG. 13 is across sectional view as seen along line C-C.

In some embodiments, the rod 238 is telescopic. The rod 238 extendslongitudinally between opposed ends 242 and 244. The opposed ends 242and 244 extend inward. The rod defines an outer face 246 and an innerface 248. A strip of hook material 250 is disposed on the inner face246. The rod 238 defines a generally hollow interior 252.

A slot 254 is defined in the inner face 246. The slot 254 provides anopening into the hollow interior 252 of the rod. The hollow interior 252and slot 254 are configured to receive mounting members 256. Typically,the mounting members 256 are slid into the hollow interior 252 at one orthe other of the opposed ends 242 or 244. As denoted by the dashed line257, the mounting members 256 can slid along between the opposed ends242 and 244. The mounting members 256 can also be slid along the opposedends 242 and 244.

Each of the mounting members 256 include a body 258 that fits within thehollow interior 252. A stub 260 extends outward from the body 258through the slot 254. The stub 260 defines a notch 262. Typically, thenotch 262 circumscribes the stub 260.

The brackets 240 define a generally vertical leg 264, which is mountedto the wall 98, and a generally horizontal leg 266, which extendsoutward from the leg 264 to an end 268. The end 268 defines an opening270 to a hollow interior 272. The hollow interior 272 is shaped andconfigured to receive at least a portion of the stub 260. The hollowinterior 272 defines a protrusion 274 that is shaped to conform to thenotch 262.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, the mounting brackets240 are first mounted to the wall 98. Then window treatments (not shown)are attached to the hook material 250. It should be noted that thewindow treatments can be attached to the rod 238 before the rod iscoupled to the brackets 240 or afterwards. The rod 238 is thenpositioned proximal to the brackets 240, and then the mounting members258 are aligned with the brackets 250 by sliding the mounting members toappropriate positions. The tabs 260 are aligned with the openings 270 ofthe mounting brackets 240, and then the rod is pushed inward such thatthe tabs 260 are received by the hollow interiors 272 of the mountingbrackets 240. It should be noted that after the mounting members 258 arecoupled to the mounting brackets 240, the rod 238 can be slid indirections parallel to the wall 98. Thus, the rod 238 can be centeredabout a given point after it is coupled to the mounting brackets 240.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of thepresent invention, particularly, any “preferred” embodiments, are merelypossible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clearunderstanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations andmodifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of theinvention without departing substantially from the spirit and principlesof the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended tobe included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the presentinvention and protected by the following claims.

1. A method of mounting a cornice fixture, the method comprising the steps of: (a) mounting two brackets to a wall, wherein the two brackets define a line connecting the two brackets; (b) slidably coupling a rod to the two brackets, wherein when the rod is in operable position with respect to the brackets, the rod can be slid in a direction that is generally parallel to the line connecting the two brackets, wherein the rod includes a face extending between a pair of opposed end portions; and (c) attaching a window treatment to the face of the rod.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: after step (b), sliding the rod in a direction that is generally parallel to the line connecting the two brackets such that the rod is centered around a given point on the line connecting the two brackets.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) further comprises the steps of: aligning the rod above the two brackets; pressing the rod downward; and engaging a tab disposed on a first bracket of two brackets, wherein the engagement of the tab holds the rod onto the first bracket.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) further comprises the step of: aligning the rod approximately in front of the brackets, wherein the rod defines an exterior surface and hollow interior, the exterior surface defines a slot that extends to the hollow interior; pressing the rod towards the wall; and engaging a first bracket of the two brackets, wherein the first bracket includes a leg that extends generally outward from the wall, and wherein at least a portion of the leg extends through the slot and is received by the hollow interior.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) further comprises the steps of: aligning the rod approximately in front of the brackets, wherein the rod defines an exterior surface and hollow interior, the exterior surface defines a slot that extends to the hollow interior; aligning a mounting member with a first bracket of the two brackets, wherein the mounting member is slidable along at least a portion of the hollow interior of the rod, and wherein the first bracket includes a leg having an end that defines a hollow interior; and engaging the hollow interior of the first bracket with a portion of the mounting member.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein step (c) is preformed prior to performing step (b).
 7. A fixture for decorating a wall, the fixture comprising: a bracket adapted to couple to the wall; a rod having a longitudinal length, wherein the rod includes a transverse face extending between a pair of opposed end portions, wherein the face includes means for affixing a window treatment thereto; a mounting means for slidably mounting the rod to the bracket, wherein when the rod is slidably coupled to the bracket, the longitudinal length of the rod can be slid through the mounting means.
 8. The fixture of claim 7, wherein the bracket includes a leg, wherein when the bracket is coupled to the wall, the leg extends generally outward from the wall to an end, wherein the mounting means includes: a pair of coupling members that extend generally upward from the bracket, wherein the pair of coupling members are configured to receive the rod between the coupling members.
 9. The fixture of claim 8, wherein when the rod is positioned between the pair of coupling members, the pair of coupling members exert pressure on the rod.
 10. The fixture of claim 8, wherein at least one of the pair of coupling members is resilient, wherein the at least one resilient coupling member is pressed away from its natural state while the rod is being coupled to the bracket, and the at least one resilient coupling member moves back towards its natural state when the rod is in operational position.
 11. The fixture of claim 7, wherein the mounting means includes a leg of the bracket, wherein the rod defines an exterior surface and a generally hollow interior, the exterior surface defining an opening to the hollow interior, and wherein the opening and the hollow interior are configured to receive at least a portion of the leg therein.
 12. The fixture of claim 7, wherein the mounting means includes a leg of the bracket and a mounting member, wherein the rod defines an exterior surface and a generally hollow interior, the exterior surface defining an opening to the hollow interior, and wherein the opening and the hollow interior are configured to receive the mounting member, and wherein the mounting member is configured to couple to the leg.
 13. A cornice fixture for decorating a wall, the cornice fixture comprising: a pair of brackets, each bracket having a first leg for coupling to a wall and a second leg, wherein the second leg extends generally outward from the first leg; a telescopic rod having an inner member and an outer member, wherein the outer member defines a first generally hollow interior, and wherein the inner member is configured to slide in and out of the outer member through at least a portion of the first hollow interior, and wherein the inner member and the outer member each define an exterior surface; a window treatment attachment member for removably attaching at least one window treatment to the rod, wherein the window treatment attachment member is disposed on the exterior surface of the rod; and mounting means for slidably coupling the rod to the pair of brackets, wherein when the rod is in operable position, the rod can slid in a direction that is generally parallel to a line connecting the pair of brackets.
 14. The cornice fixture of claim 13, wherein the outer member of the rod defines a first upper surface extending between a first front portion and a first rear portion, wherein the inner member of the rod defines a second upper surface extending between a second front portion and a second rear portion, wherein the first upper surface is bowed, and wherein the window treatment attachment member is disposed on the first upper surface and the second upper surface.
 15. The cornice fixture of claim 13, wherein the outer member of the rod defines a first rear surface extending between a first upper portion and a first lower portion, wherein the inner member of the rod defines a second rear surface extending between a second upper portion and a second lower portion, wherein the window treatment attachment member is disposed on the first rear surface and the second rear surface, wherein when the rod is in operable position a substantial portion of the first and second rear surfaces face towards the wall.
 16. The cornice fixture of claim 13, wherein the inner member defines a second generally hollow interior and an opening to the second hollow interior, wherein the outer member defines an opening to the first hollow interior, wherein the mounting means includes the second legs of each of the brackets, and wherein the openings and the hollow interiors of the inner member and the outer member are configured to receive at least a portion of the second legs therein.
 17. The cornice fixture of claim 13, wherein the inner member defines a second generally hollow interior and a slot extending to the second hollow interior, wherein the outer member defines a slot extending to the first hollow interior wherein the mounting means includes the second legs of each of the brackets and a pair of mounting members, wherein the slot of the inner member and the second hollow interior are configured to receive at least one of the mounting members, wherein the slot of the outer member and the first hollow interior are configured to receive at least one of the mounting members, and wherein the mounting members are configured to couple to the second legs.
 18. The cornice fixture of claim 13, wherein each of the second legs of the pair of brackets includes a pair of coupling members, wherein when the brackets are in operable position, each coupling member extends generally upward, and wherein each pair of coupling members are configured to receive the rod between the coupling members.
 19. The cornice fixture of claim 18, wherein when the rod is positioned between the pair of coupling members, the pair of coupling members exert pressure on the rod.
 20. The fixture of claim 18, wherein for each pair of coupling members, at least one of the coupling members is resilient, wherein the at least-one resilient coupling member is pressed away from its natural state while the rod is being coupled to the brackets, and the at least one resilient coupling member moves back towards its natural state when the rod is in operational position.
 21. A cornice fixture for decorating a wall, the cornice fixture comprising: a telescopic rod having an inner member and an outer member, wherein the outer member defines a first generally hollow interior, and wherein the inner member is configured to slide in and out of the outer member through at least a portion of the first hollow interior, and wherein the inner member and the outer member each define an upper surface; a window treatment attachment member for removably attaching at least one window treatment to the rod, wherein the window treatment attachment member is disposed on the upper surface of the rod; and a pair of brackets, each bracket having a first leg for coupling to a wall and a second leg, wherein the second leg extends generally outward from the first leg, wherein each second leg includes a pair of coupling members that extend generally upward in operational position, and wherein in operational position, the rod is slidably coupled by each pair of coupling members, wherein the rod is slidable in the direction of a line connecting the pair of brackets.
 22. The cornice fixture of claim 21, wherein when the rod is positioned between the pair of coupling members, the pair of coupling members exert pressure on the rod.
 23. The fixture of claim 21, wherein for each pair of coupling members, at least one of the coupling members is resilient, wherein the at least one resilient coupling member is pressed away from its natural state while the rod is being coupled to the brackets, and the at least one resilient coupling member moves back towards its natural state when the rod is in operational position.
 24. The method of claim 1, wherein the face of the rod having the window treatment attached thereto defines an upper face, and further including the step of: coupling an attachment means to the upper face.
 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the an upper face of the rod defines at least one channel, wherein the attachment means is generally disposed along a length of the at least one channel.
 26. The fixture of claim 7, wherein the face defines a channel, and wherein the means for attaching a window treatment is disposed along a length of the channel.
 27. The fixture of claim 26, wherein the face is an upper face.
 28. The cornice fixture of claim 13, wherein the exterior surface defines at least one channel, wherein the window treatment attachment member is disposed along a length of the at least one channel.
 29. The cornice fixture of claim 21, wherein the upper surface defines at least one channel, wherein the window treatment attachment member is disposed along a length of the at least one channel. 